Representation by Dennis Buckingham
- Date submitted
- 23 October 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
• At a distance of only 8 miles from shore, the Rampion 2 site contravenes the OESEA guidelines that offshore windturbines should be at least 25 miles from a National Park ( in this instance the South Downs National Park() The impact of this steel and concrete industrial park would be appalling for such a a beautiful County and surely result in a reduction in tourism, a downturn in economic activity and have a negative impact on property prices. There are no mitigation measures that can offset this happening. • Based on the performance of the existing Rampion windfarm, the efficiency of the proposed Rampion 2 windfarm will be the same. That is, circa 35% efficiency. The same installation in the North Sea would produce in the order of twice the output for the same level of investment. By their very nature, wind energy turbines produce intermittent power, at times of low output the difference has to be provided from energy sources available 24/7 • A topic specific hearing should be held to consider alternative sources of energy that could deliver the same capacity in the same timescale and at the same or lower cost. With a limited life cycle of around 25 years for wind turbines, it would be far better to invest in known energy sources that provide at least twice this lifespan. • The construction process offshore will be hugely disturbing for the coastal community with the noise from the installation of piles, the scouring of the seabed producing vast amounts of sediment and adversely effecting the kelp forest, fishing and crab breeding grounds.